senate resolution no.55

Senator Hollier offered the following resolution:

A resolution to designate May 2021 as Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

Whereas, Brain tumors, specifically glioblastomas, have become recognized in recent years as one of the deadliest cancers; and

Whereas, There are an estimated 770 new diagnoses of brain tumors in Michigan in 2021, and an estimated 600 Michigan residents will die from a brain tumor this year; and

Whereas, Brain tumors can be deadly and severely impact the quality of life. Brain cancer also continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths among children and young adults; and

Whereas, The month of May is recognized across the United States as Brain Tumor Awareness Month in an effort to raise public consciousness about symptoms and advanced treatment options. Brain tumors continue to be one of the most difficult cancers to detect in the early stages of the disease, which contribute to its high mortality rates; and

Whereas, Brain tumors have the highest per-patient initial cost of care for any cancer group with an annualized cost at nearly $150,000. Brain cancer has the highest annualized cost for last year-of-life care, relative to other cancers, around $135,000-$210,000 (depending on age and gender) per patient; and

Whereas, More than any other cancer, brain tumors can have lasting and life-altering   physical, cognitive, and psychological impacts on a patient’s life; and

Whereas, Michigan has received national recognition as a leading center of excellence for brain tumor treatment and research due to the number of patients traveling to the state for clinical trial participation, the local grant dollars used to create jobs in the field, and the highly trained professionals specializing in brain tumors across the state; and

Whereas, Michigan is proud to be home to high level brain cancer centers such as the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Hospital and the Rogel Cancer Center at University of Michigan; and

Whereas, Despite the number of brain tumors diagnosed annually, there are only four United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs and one device to treat brain tumors in the past thirty years; and

Whereas, To date, there are not any drugs that have been developed and approved specifically for malignant pediatric brain tumors. The FDA approved drugs for brain tumors only provide incremental improvements to patient survival and mortality rates are relatively unchanged; and

Whereas, We remain optimistic and encourage residents to be vigilant and proactive when it comes to their brain health; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body designate May 2021 as Brain Tumor Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That we recognize the need for additional research into diagnosis, screening, and treatments for brain tumors. We urge all Michiganders to use this month as an opportunity to raise awareness and educate themselves about brain tumors and cancer.